Federal law enforcement officials say they have taken down a coordinated scam ring that targeted grandparents. CBS News Boston's Kristina Rex has the details.

Boston

Federal law enforcement has dismantled a coordinated scam ring accused of targeting grandparents across the United States. Thirteen individuals have been charged for their alleged roles in a scheme that stole millions of dollars from over 400 victims, including 50 in Massachusetts. The operation was run from a call center in the Dominican Republic, where scammers posed as grandchildren in distress to solicit money from elderly victims. 

The suspects allegedly used rideshare drivers to transport cash from victims' homes, often without the drivers' knowledge. The investigation began after vigilant Uber drivers reported suspicious activity, and anti-fraud technology helped authorities track the operation. Nine suspects have been arrested, while four remain at large.

Coordinated scam ring targeting grandparents taken down, feds say

Federal law enforcement officials say that they have taken down a coordinated scam ring that targeted Grandparents more than a dozen people were charged in this scheme and officials They alleged that these folks were able to steal millions of dollars from hundreds of victims across the country and as CBS News Boston reporter Christina Rex reports Investigators were able to bust the scam with some unique help. Do not be ashamed. These are sophisticated Sophisticated crimes that's u.s Attorney Leah Foley's message to the elderly as she announced the takedown of a vicious Grandparent scam. This was a highly coordinated criminal operation with a network of runners here in the United States Including in Massachusetts who actually went to victims homes to pick up the money Foley says 13 alleged scammers operated out of this call center in the Dominican Republic and followed this script Posing as grandchildren desperately in need of money because of an emergency They then allegedly used rideshare services to transport envelopes of cash from the victims homes To middlemen in the u.s. To the DR often these scammers allegedly exploited Unsuspecting rideshare drivers using them as mules In fact, the investigation started because alert uber drivers reported the suspicious activity in a statement an uber Spokesperson said this case exemplifies how uber uses anti-fraud technology to swiftly detect and proactively report suspicious activity Ultimately, the scammers allegedly swindled 400 people 50 here in Massachusetts and got away with more than five million dollars Take a look at these record charts the ringleader then used that money to fund a lavish lifestyle even buying himself a boat These alleged fraudsters did not just steal their victims nest eggs. They stole their peace of mind Shattered their trust and left behind a trail of heartbreak. So here are three ways you can help your loved ones avoid these scams Number one, you can use a family code that you can say over the phone So, you know, you're really speaking with family to know that law enforcement will never ask you for money on the phone and three Family watch for warning signs with your elderly loved ones like large cash withdrawals or secrecy around phone calls Now there are 13 people being charged here. Four of them are still at large nine have been arrested in Boston, Christina Rex WBZ news

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